Kat Dennings

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Kat Dennings
Born Katherine Litwack
June 13, 1986 (1986-06-13) (age 22)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation Actor
Years active 2000–present
Official website

Kat Dennings (born Katherine Litwack; June 13, 1986)[1] is an American actress.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Dennings was born and raised in the Bryn Mawr area near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her mother, Ellie Litwack, is a poet and speech therapist,[2][3] her father, a molecular pharmacologist; she has an older brother, Geoffrey.[1] Her family is Jewish.[4] She adopted the name Dennings as her professional name when she was younger.[1] Dennings was home schooled. Her only enrollment at a traditional school was for a half-day at Friends' Central School.[1] She moved with her family to Los Angeles, California around 2002 so that she could act full time.[5] Her parents initially considered her idea of pursuing an acting career "the worst idea ever," Dennings told Interview magazine in 2007.[6]

[edit] Career

Dennings began her career as a child in commercials.[1] She appeared on the HBO cable television series Sex and the City in 2000. She played a 13-year-old girl who hires the character Samantha to handle publicity for her bat mitzvah in the episode "Hot Child in the City".[5] Dennings was then cast as Bob Saget's daughter on the short-lived TV series, Raising Dad (2001– 2002). Since then, she has appeared in a number of television shows and movies, including the Hilary Duff film, Raise Your Voice (2004), and The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005), playing Catherine Keener's daughter. Dennings also appeared as the character "Zoe" on several episodes of ER in 2005 and 2006, and was a guest star on CSI:NY, playing Sarah Endecott in the 2005 episode "Manhattan Manhunt". Dennings appeared in the film Big Momma's House 2 (2006), starring Martin Lawrence.

In 2008, Dennings starred in Charlie Bartlett, the story of a wealthy teenager, played by Anton Yelchin, who acts as a psychiatrist for his new public high school. Dennings played Susan Gardner, Bartlett's love interest, and the daughter of the school's principal, played by Robert Downey, Jr..[6] Dennings also appeared in The House Bunny, playing Mona, a pierced, misfit sorority girl.[7] Dennings stars with Michael Cera, of Superbad and Juno, in the film Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008), a teen romance. Dennings plays Norah Silverberg, the daughter of a famous record producer.

In 2009, Dennings will appear in Shorts, a dark children's film directed by Robert Rodriguez, and The Dream of the Romans, a story about a celebrity author whose manifestos become a sort of new Bible.[8] Dennings hopes to make End Zone, a film based on the novel of the same name by Don DeLillo. Although actors Sam Rockwell and Josh Hartnett are involved, the project has yet to be greenlit because of its controversial subject matter, nuclear war.[9] As of October 2008, Dennings was in negotiations to appear in Defendor, a superhero film starring Woody Harrelson and Sandra Oh.[10]

[edit] Personal life

Dennings has been blogging since January 2001, and has since also transitioned into video blogging on YouTube.[8] She is a self-proclaimed lover of baby animals, Shōjo manga, and cheese. She is an avid reader and is friends with author Andrea Seigel.

In 2005, Dennings dated Ira David Wood IV (brother of Evan Rachel Wood), whom she brought to the world premiere of The 40-Year-Old Virgin.[11] In 2007, she began seeing Criminal Minds star Matthew Gray Gubler.[12]

[edit] Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Sex and the City Jenny Brier TV series, in the episode "Hot Child in the City"
2001– 2002 Raising Dad Sarah Stewart TV series
2002 The Scream Team Claire Carlyle TV movie
2003 The Snobs TV movie
Without a Trace Jennifer Norton TV series, in the episode "Our Sons and Daughters"
Less Than Perfect Kaitlin TV series, in the episode "The Girl Next Door"
2004 Sudbury Antonia Owens TV movie
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Missy Wilson TV series, in the episode "Early Rollout"
Raise Your Voice Sloane
2005 Down in the Valley April
The 40 Year-Old Virgin Marla
London Lilly
CSI: NY Sarah Endecott TV series, in the episode "Manhattan Manhunt"
ER Zoe Butler TV series, 5 episodes in season 12
2006 Big Momma's House 2 Molly
Wanderlust Lila TV movie
2008 Charlie Bartlett Susan Gardner
The House Bunny Mona
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist Norah Silverberg
2009 The Dream of the Romans
Shorts Stacey Thompson
End Zone

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Rys, Richard (October 2008). "Exit Interview: Kat Dennings". Philadelphia. Retrieved on October 4, 2008.
  2. ^ Abcairn, Robin (August 26, 2006). "SWAG!". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on August 12, 2008.
  3. ^ "Charlie Bartlett - Kat Dennings interview". IndieLondon. Retrieved on October 4, 2008.
  4. ^ Elkin, Michael. "Kid Kat: A local suburban teen plans on 'Raising Dad'", The Jewish Exponent, July 19, 2001.
  5. ^ a b Gross, Dan (February 18, 2008). "Dan Gross: 'Charlie Bartlett' co-star Kat Dennings fond of Philly roots". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved on August 12, 2008.
  6. ^ a b Cosgrove, Julia (August 2007). "Kat Dennings: giving vapid portrayals of teenage girls the high-heeled boot". Interview.
  7. ^ Hain, Phillip (August 26, 2008). "REEL CRITIC: ‘Bunny’ is fluff, but it’s funny". Burbank Leader. Retrieved on September 3, 2008.
  8. ^ a b Miller, Jenni. "Exclusive Interview: 'Nick and Norah' Star Kat Dennings". Premiere. Retrieved on September 2, 2008.
  9. ^ Slotek, Jim (September 8, 2008). "Dennings revels in her dark side". Toronto Sun. Retrieved on September 8, 2008.
  10. ^ Kilday, Gregg (October 3, 2008). "Kat Dennings negotiating to play 'Defendor'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on October 4, 2008.
  11. ^ "Premiere Of Universal Studios "40 Year Old Virgin" - After Party". Zimbio. Retrieved on September 7, 2008.
  12. ^ Small, Jonathan (February 28, 2007). "Meet Criminal Minds' Chic Geek, Matthew Gray Gubler". TV Guide. Retrieved on September 7, 2008.

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kat_Dennings"
Personal tools